AUGUSTA, Maine – A new campaign ad released by Janet Mills’ (D) U.S. Senate campaign features an Army veteran and rape survivor delivering a blunt and emotional rebuke of Democrat candidate Graham Platner (D), marking the latest escalation in a race increasingly defined by Platner’s past online comments.
In the ad, identified only as “Betsy E.,” the veteran speaks directly to the camera, recounting her personal experience and condemning Platner’s past remarks about rape survivors, comments that resurfaced from Reddit and have drawn sharp criticism from Mills and her allies in recent weeks.
The Mills campaign has released a series of ads targeting Platner over the Reddit posts, which critics say suggested women could avoid rape by acting differently. Those remarks have become a central issue in the race, with Mills’ campaign seeking to keep the controversy front and center as voters begin to focus more closely on the contest.
The latest ad is among the most emotionally charged ads released so far.
In the ad, Betsy E. delivers a stark message, tying her own experience to the broader debate over Platner’s comments.
“I proudly served the United States Army, and I was raped. For all women who have ever been raped, the pain never goes away” “The rapists are to blame, not women like me.” Graham Platner is unacceptable.”
The Mills campaign has leaned heavily into highlighting Platner’s past online statements, releasing multiple ads and statements in recent days focused on the resurfaced Reddit posts. Those posts, which have circulated widely online and in political circles, have quickly become one of the defining flashpoints of the race.
Platner has faced growing scrutiny over the comments, with critics arguing they reflect deeply troubling views about sexual assault victims. Mills’ campaign has positioned the issue as a question of character and judgment, using survivor testimony and emotional appeals to underscore the impact of such statements.
The Senate race itself is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched political contests in Maine and around the country, drawing increasing attention as both sides ramp up messaging and begin defining their opponents early.
Until recently, much of the early focus of the race centered on policy and party alignment. However, the resurfacing of Platner’s past Reddit comments has shifted the tone sharply, with the Mills campaign seizing on the controversy to frame the race around personal conduct and respect for survivors.
The release of the Betsy E. ad signals a continuation of that strategy, using personal testimony and emotionally powerful messaging to keep pressure on Platner and reinforce the narrative that his past statements remain disqualifying.
With additional ads expected and both campaigns intensifying outreach, the controversy surrounding Platner’s past comments is likely to remain a dominant theme in the weeks ahead, setting the stage for a Senate race increasingly defined not just by policy differences, but by character and personal history.
Yes, he is still that person an angry man who is a racist as well. Just another hater
I don’t understand where Platner is getting his millions of dollars for tv ads. He’s spending more than everyone else combined. Ads on ABC aren’t cheap unless Disney/Hearst doesn’t charge Dems for ads.
Please edit your article. In no way does any Republican want Platner named as a Republican!
Democrats do not care what he thinks about women, they can’t even define what a women is. They do not CARE about anything except power and the opportunity to steer our tax dollars to illegals etc
The Marxists of Maine could careless what Platner wrote years ago. Platner fits what they want, a mindless buffon. I just have 1 question for all these women in the Mills ads, where were you when kids began getting mutilated for the trans cult? Where were you when girls were losing to men playing in girls sports? I discard the women in Mills’ ads because they can not answer those 2 simple questions.
Not that I would ever for a Democrat in the current party of evil that they are but that Nazi loving Communist would definitely be at the bottom of my list especially as transplanted Canadian looking at his medicare plan.
Lost in all of this is the belief that a lot of young women have that they should never ever bear any responsibility for their own well-being.
They would never leave their automobile unlocked with the keys in the ignition, somebody might steal it. They would never leave their cell phones unattended at a bar because, again, someone might steal them.
Theft is illegal, hopefully the thief would be caught and punished, but they still understand the concept of making it more difficult for a thief to steal things they value.
These same women think nothing of wearing a miniskirt, without underwear, to a frat party where they proceed to pass out drunk on the floor. Rape also is illegal, and hopefully rapists are caught and punished, but that doesn’t undo the trauma of the rape.
And when I cannot fathom is why these women, who are not stupid, value their possessions more than they value themselves. And I understand General Mills wants to win, but as a district attorney who has prosecuted rapes and consoled rape victims, why can’t she understand this.
And much as society would say that it’s not a good idea to go across Penobscot Bay in a small boat during a howling gale, why can’t society tell young women that walking in to a boys dorm room clad only in a towel is sending a lot of messages that she’s not intending to send, doesn’t even realize she’s sending, and definitely doesn’t want to send…
Funding comes from the Democratic Socialist Party / American Communist Party.
If Mills cared about women she’d never support men in women’s sports or in women’s prisons. She’s no better than platner.
The only reason he “changed” is because he us running for office, period. Some oyster farmer, lol his only customer is Mom. He would still have his NAZI tattoo if he wasn’t running for office. But democrats could care less, heck they love his views on women, Blacks, whites, the unborn.
Targeting the female voters cuz they know the men no longer give a shit about the Karens and their wackadoodle feminism.
Governor Mills campaign stirring up the man haters.
Planter is NOT a Republican candidate, unless I missed something!
REALLY?? fix that.
He also said things about rural people.. Which is what 90% of the state?